It is with deepest affection that the Kansas City Rose Society is pleased to honor Addie as the Wine & Roses honorary chair for her lifelong contributions to Loose Park and the Kansas City Rose Society.

​Kansas City has long enjoyed and benefited from citizens with vision, leadership, spirit, and a love of the beauty of nature. Such is the case of the Ward family, Adelaide (Addie) and her sons Scott and Tom.

Years ago they observed the decline of the Jacob L. Loose Park in the heart of the city. Loose Park was considered the most peopled park, with record high use, and it was regarded as the “jewel” of the Park system. Addie recalled that it was also in “deplorable condition.” The Ward family vision for the Park's renewal was bold and expansive, and in partnership with the Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department, it was transformed. Once again it became a destination suited for 21st century needs and lifestyles, and for young and old seeking recreation in many forms.

Seeing other green spaces within the city in need of nurturing and repair, the family began anew and plans were developed for each area.

Jan Schall, the former curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, said it perfectly: “The Ward family supports Kansas City green spaces. First came Loose Park, which is a place of beauty, delight, and pride for all who love to run, walk, picnic, play, get married, or just relax. Then came Ward Parkway, which gets more beautiful each year as new trees are planted, flower beds are reinforced and maintained, and grass flourishes. Now the family has taken on the care and nurturing of Theis and Gilham Parks.”

Our deepest appreciation and gratitude is extended to the Ward family.

Beauty transforms lives. Thanks for expressing your love for Kansas City and its people in these important and tangible ways.